This is a marketing tool. Most Buyers want to make
informed decisions. They depend upon their agent to give them
price comparisons and neighbourhood knowledge. What Sellers
and their agents should consider is how to supplement that
knowledge with anything they know about the house and the
neighbourhood. Create a binder that you, the Seller, can
leave on the kitchen or dining room table for Buyers to view.
What would you put in this binder?

A copy of the listing

Photos of the house that are not on the listing

A copy of the Survey

A copy of the Seller Property Information Statement

Copies of water tests (if rural)

A copy of the tax bill OR a page with information on the cost
of taxes and all utilities.

A copy of the house inspection (if you had one done prior to
listing)

A copy of any receipts for major work done in and around the
house

A copy of the furnace inspection /maintenance report

A letter on why you love the house so much

A part of a map showing the location of your home
and other points of interest

A page with your 5 favourite restaurants and their ads

Remember, put only copies in the
binder. Agents may want to ensure that the Binder is
clearly a product from their company and include a promotion sheet
about the agent. If the home has been staged then the stagers
promotion sheet and a couple of cards can be added.

In really hot markets, the binder may be the tipping point
for getting offers in the first couple of days and in a bidding war
this information is key to a Buyer.

I was recently doing a walk through on a potential
listing. The owners had a wonderful collection of little
statues in a specific theme. These were located on coffee
tables, end tables in the living and family rooms and on the shelf
in the kitchen. I thought they were delightful but was
worried on the owners' behalf that these would be too tempting
for visitors, especially when those with children in
tow.

In trying to convince the owners to pack these and all little
ornaments and souvenirs, I said "Don't leave anything out
and available that could fit in a purse or pocket."
It is not that the people house hunting are thieves. In fact,
so few things are stolen that one forgets that this could
happen. But..... there is always a first time and no
home owner wants this to happen to them.

I also advise clients to put away anything of extreme value
whether it is sentimental of financial. Buyers like to
touch things. Why risk any damage to your
valuables?

My clients asked if I would be able to follow every visitor
during an Open House. I explained that this is not always
possible. When more than one visitor arrives, it is
better to be centrally located. Often, visitors roam freely
while agents locate themselves near the only exit.
Certainly where children are involved, I follow closely. It
would be difficult to miss a TV going out the door but I have no
rights to inspect purses or pockets of visitors. I do
ask them to leave big bags by the door.

Buyers use all of their senses when searching for their new
homes. 'Looking' at homes goes way beyond sight. Appeal
to all five of the buyers' senses. Each sense provides input
to the Buyers' perceptions of your home.

Your home is enhanced by leaving an Ipod, satellite radio or CDs
playing. Pick background music. You don't want the
Buyers to stop to try to remember the tune and the words. Who
cares? I like almost anything done by the Marsalis family,
Ottmar Lieber, Kenny G, or any light classical/ instrumental
music. I would stay away from those spa CDs that have rain
forest sounds or tropic birds chirping or wind blowing. Look
for something smooth and mellow.

When selling a home this summer, the owner included his built in
music system. (Of course, how could he take it with
him?). At each viewing and for a Sunday Open House, he
left the system on for Buyers to hear and see. It ended up
being one of the selling features. When I do an Open
House and know that it is without the central system, I take a
radio and find a station of easy listening music. I leave it
on the whole afternoon. I take my own radio because I am a
bit of a techno phobe when it comes to my and other people's
equipment. I never put the television on because it is too
distracting. Buyers will stop and watch a game on the TV
without seeing the house.

If your yard is covered by 3 feet of snow, how can a buyer know
what it looks like? Draw a plan of the yard with the location
and names of as many of the trees and perennials as you can
remember. Did you ever have the green house draw up a plan of
the yard or a landscape architect come in and do the work?
Having these plans will add incredible interest in your
property. Having the contract and receipts if further
validation for the professional work done.

If you are planning to sell next year, make sure that you take
some photos of your yard with things in bloom and the lawn
cut. I once showed a house to a client where the Seller found
photos from a big family picnic and left these on the dining table
to show off the yard. Well, the yard of course was barely
visible, the photos out of focus and what we could see did not look
good. While I recommend taking photos, bad
ones or ones where your yard is not clean and clutter free are
worse than nothing.

Blackburn Hamlet, Ottawa - Walking distance to all
amenities! Charming town home features: new laminate flooring
throughout, new carpet in staircase, central air installed 2009,
living room accented by cozy wood burning fireplace & access to
fenced backyard. Master bedroom features shared access to main
bathroom. Ideal for investor or first time buyer!

SOLD!, SOLD!, SOLD! - Call us today and we can find you a
similar property! - 613-889-7732

Location, Location...Welcome to 2433 Innes Rd. in desirable
Blackburn Hamlet. 2
story home with in-law suite situated on a fantastic corner lot.
Fully fenced yard Roof /07, front addition /09, mostly newer
windows, Wall has been removed between 2 bedrooms making one large
bedroom (it can be replaced if requested to return to a 3 bedroom).
Please allow enough notice for showings to notify tenant in lower
unit. Main flr currently daycare.

Don't miss it! Come fall in love with this Home for Sale
in Blackburn Hamlet!

Long term tenants have lived here for approx 20 years and want
to STAY! Montly revenue for you coming in like clockwork - just
cash the cheques. Property has upgrades and improvements to
roof/10, windows /09, ac/06, new carpeting to be installed prior to
closing and both doors to be replaced. Three generous sized rooms
with the master having a 2 pc ensuite. Walking distance to
everything Blackburn Hamlet has to offer.

3 Beds | 3 Baths | $164,900

For your private viewing of this condominium for sale in
Blackburn Hamletcall Roch St-Georges at 613-889-7732.

Looking for a home in Ottawa? Want to sell your current home?
Looking for a Home for Sale in Ottawa visit my website at
www.rochstgeorges.com

Disclaimer: Trulia, Inc. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. Trulia, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.